by Sue Giustino
What? You may be asking…hemp-infused? Well, yes. This cocktail which can be enjoyed in an array of classic cocktail flavors; like the Moscow mule, the paloma, and the gin & tonic- is brining a new twist to the ever-demanding non-alcoholic beverage market.
jeng is the brainchild of John Enghauser and Christopher Lackner, old college friends who reconnected with an idea right before the pandemic hit. Using a recipe that John concocted in his Montauk home, jeng hit the shelves in The Hamptons, Manhattan and Brooklyn last Summer. The company is currently expanding into the Midwest, with plans for national expansion in late 2022.
“Chris and I are fans of bold flavored cocktails and craft beers. Rather than create another CBD seltzer, we set out to make a drink that we would enjoy, one that replicated the cocktail experience but without the alcohol,” said John. “A cocktail is more than a delivery device for alcohol, it’s an experience to be shared. With jeng, you get that cocktail flavor, feeling, and connection. What you don’t get is the hangover.”
So, now you may be thinking; ok, so I won’t get drunk, but I’ll get high! Well, no. jeng is infused with hemp, CBD not THC. CBD and THC are both cannabinoids found in marijuana. Though similar in what they may help treat, the most important difference is that THC will cause a person to experience a high while CBD will not.
According to www.health.harvard.edu, research, both formal and informal, suggest CBD may help with: anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, inflammation, and even addiction- by lowering cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions.
“We intentionally formulated jeng to have a “sessionable” amount of CBD to make it enticing, not intimidating,” said Enghauser. “It’s the perfect amount for someone who may never have heard of CBD but is eager to try it.”
The adult beverage world is changing. Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are on the rise. Non-alcoholic beverages are becoming increasingly popular, and hemp beverages are emerging as an alternative. All three trends are captured in jeng’s line of drinks; bringing a refreshing, alcohol-free alternative to cocktail culture.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a growing number of people switching to the non-alcoholic alternative cocktail options; healthier, no hang-over, designated driver conscious… With the rapid rise in cannabis legalization, and the growing trend toward functional and “better for you” beverages, cocktail culture will almost certainly continue to trend toward alcohol-free.
“Rapid change is the nature of the beverage industry,” said Lackner. “Thirty years ago, bottled water was inconceivable. Ten years ago, alcohol seltzers were mostly unheard of. Five years ago, CBD wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Today, we’re seeing a growing sober-curious movement that is normalizing an alcohol-free lifestyle, and a culture that is increasingly perceiving hemp and cannabis as healthy alternatives. The opportunity is there.”
jeng was founded in 2019 by John Enghauser and Christopher Lackner, jeng LLC makes premium alcohol-free, hemp-infused, ready-to-drink cocktails for the world to enjoy. jeng™ is available in New York, Chicago, Michigan, and online at www.sipjeng.com.
